National Improvements Upon Agriculture, 1785

Agriculture is the great support of the nation, in which every individual is interested, for the most material articles of his daily subsistence in food and in drink. In this respect, all manufactures depend upon it. From its produce, it is the chief stay of the landed interest: it contributes largely to navigation and commerce, in various ways; and, taking all there together, to a vast amount towards the maintenance of Government. All these benefits, important as they are, become exceedingly more so, from the consideration that they are stable and permanent, the work of prudence and perseverance, and which can never decline but through indolence and folly. - From the Preface.